Snowy Owl

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This is an image that I made on Long Island in January early in the morning and didn't get around to process before.



1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/400s, f/8, EC +0.33, ISO 400, cropped from horizontal

[Art Kornienko]

Yes Axel, killer light for sure. Excellent exposure, some will like it with the weeds and some will prefer it without the weeds, the eyes look super, I might have cropped to move her a bit more to the left. Great work, looking forward to seeing more from this winter.

[Bonnie Block]

A beauty for sure, Axel. I am a fan of enviornment--so I like the grasses. Super exposure and nice detail.

[Doug Brown]

The grass doesn't bother me because it doesn't obstruct the bird's face. I was thinking that I would add a sliver of canvas on the left.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the crop because it includes the grass from the ground up. If i had an image like this I would be running home to process it! Exceptional image with great eye contact.

[Ben Egbert]

This is gorgeous. Snoweys get special credit for being so rare. You have perfect exposure, head angle, light, sharp, great background. I even like the grass in the foreground as it adds authenticity.

[stuart wanuck]

like the image take me with you we do not have these in south florida

[Danny J Brown]

Hi Axel - Great image...eyes are striking and the foreground substrate has great detail. I can't believe we are even talking about the grass....you better leave it in there because I love it! Thanks.

[Roger Lauzon]

Bonjour Alex,

gorgeous shot, great light and nice detail. The snowy owl season should start soon in Québec, canada.

Roger

[Steve Maxson]

A very cool image, Axel. The owl, light, and background are outstanding, but IMO, the grass puts this one over the top. I might add a bit on the left.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Simply superb Axel. Love the grasses in the FG and the intense stare with those stunning yellow eyes. This beats any baited SO image hands down AFAIAC. Congrats mate!

[Harshad Barve]

Axel , This is super shot
TFS

[Ed Cordes]

I also like the inclusion of the grass. Of course, the eyes make the image pop. DOF is just right. Are the highlights in the eyes from flash?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I also like the inclusion of the grass. Of course, the eyes make the image pop. DOF is just right. Are the highlights in the eyes from flash?

Thanks, Ed! I didn't use flash, these are regular catchlights.

[Marina Scarr]

This is a killer shot, Axel. I love the crop as is. Love the added environment. The feather details around the beak and those eyes really make for a powerful image.

[Dave Leroy]

Very well done Axel. For me it is the in focus sand and grass which makes this a unigue photo. Exposure is right on. Dave

[Betsie Storm]

Lovely snowy Axel, like everything about it, especially the clear, sharp eyes and the grass- I'm always in favour of including the environment. Wish to see these owls in real life- thanks for sharing.

[Stu Bowie]

You guys coming into winter, Im sure we are going to see a lot of these beautiful owls. I remember your last series very well, and this is no different. Sweet light and warm colours, and their eyes just amaze me. Did I mention well exposed too.

[Bryan Erb]

Really nice image. I like the grass, I think it adds to the image, otherwise it would just be an owl sitting on sand.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Such a beauty Bhai, all said above, I really liked the grass, I adds so well to this... congrats..

[Ofer Levy]

Great eye contact and light - nice one!

[Clement Francis]

I love owls, so I have give this a standing ovation. Awesomely shot picture

[Linda Dulak]

Axel: this is beautiful. Perfect DOF to get both grasses and bird in focus. Hope there are some of these beauties around this year again.

Linda

[Narayan Pai]

Axel ,this is a killer shot .....beautiful light ....perfect exposure...the grass adds to the environment